Bird flu alarm: Massive stable requirement in zoos and poultry farms!

Bird flu alarm: Massive stable requirement in zoos and poultry farms!

Bird flu continues to spread in Germany and is causing worrying measures in various regions. Wild birds in particular, such as cranes, are severely affected, which also has a major impact on animal husbandry in the affected areas. This was reported by the MDR.

In some districts of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, poultry farms are already required to have stables. The situation is particularly dramatic in the Mansfeld-Südharz district, where a farm with 40,000 hens had to be forcibly closed down to contain the disease. Zoos and animal parks are also not exempt from this threatening situation. In the Halle mountain zoo, for example, 200 birds had to be brought into stables for protection. Zoo director Dennis Müller pointed out that this measure means great stress for the animals.

Measures in the zoos

Despite the tense situation, there is currently no obligation to use stables at the Halle Mountain Zoo, but strict hygiene requirements are being implemented to minimize the risk of infection. The situation is different at the Magdeburg Zoo, where the birds have to be kept indoors. Zoo director David Pruß has also prepared emergency measures to protect the animals as best as possible.

The Erfurt Zoo has also brought its birds into the stable since October 21st. Veterinarian Tina Risch has applied for exemptions for certain species in order to preserve the diversity of bird species on site. The staff is particularly challenged: They carefully monitor symptoms of bird flu and are urgently advised to get a flu vaccination for animal keepers.

Regional situation and outlook

The epidemic affects not only the large zoos, but also smaller facilities such as the Greifenstein Castle Falconry, where contact with visitors has been stopped. Gera Zoo and Dresden Zoo are also arming themselves against the impending danger. So far there have been no confirmed cases of bird flu in Saxony, but tensions remain high. Regional stable requirements in risk areas are crucial to contain the spread of bird flu, such as ORF reported.

The measures to combat the disease are diverse and take into account both commercial and wild birds. The exact demarcation of the affected areas is updated regularly in order to respond optimally to the situation. A nationwide requirement to keep stables is also being discussed in order to ensure uniform protection of all bird species Mirror notes.